Vehicle safety apparatus having expandable confinement

ABSTRACT

An improved safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during the occurrence of an accident includes an expandable confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining an occupant of the vehicle during an accident. A unitary assembly for effecting expansion of the confinement includes a percussion-actuated explosive valve which is impacted with an actuator in response to the occurrence of an accident to effect operation of the valve to an open condition. Opening the valve enables fluid to flow from a source of fluid to the confinement to effect expansion of the confinement. The actuator can be either a mass which is impacted against the valve in response to the occurrence of an accident or a fixed member against which the valve is impacted. The flow of fluid from the source of fluid is at least partially stabilized by a flow regulator assembly to thereby tend to eliminate &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;peak&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; or excessively high rates of expansion of the confinement.

[ Feb. 1, 1972 VEHICLE SAFETY APPARATUS HAVING EXPANDABLE CONFINEMENT[72] Inventor: Richard Chute, Huntington Woods, Mich.

[731 Assignee: Eaton Yale & Towne Inc., Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Aug.12, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 849,394

[52] US. Cl. ..280/l AB, 137/68, 251/48 [51] Int. Cl. ..Br 21/00 [58]Field of Search ..280/ AB; 137/71, 68, 70,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,436,396 2/1948 McCaslin..l02/73 X 2,649,311 8/1953 Hetrick ..280/150 2,806,737 9/1957 Maxwell..280/150 X 2,834,609 5/1958 Bertrand ..280/150 3,197,234 7/1965Bertrand ..280/150 Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. Betts Att0rneyY0unt andTarolli [5 7] ABSTRACT An improved safety apparatus for protecting anoccupant of a vehicle during the occurrence of an accident includes anexpandable confinement having a collapsed condition and an expandedcondition for restraining an occupant of the vehicle during an accident.Aunitary assembly for effecting expansion of the confinement includes apercussion-actuated explosive valve which is impacted with an actuatorin response to the occurrence of an accident to effect operation of thevalve to an open condition. Opening the valve enables fluid to flow froma source of fluid to the confinement to effect expansion of theconfinement. The actuator can be either a mass which is im pactedagainst the valve in response to the occurrence of an accident or afixed member against which the valve is impacted. The flow of fluid fromthe source of fluid is at least partially stabilized by a flow regulatorassembly to thereby tend to eliminate peak or excessively high rates ofexpansion of the confinement.

16 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures VEHICLE SAFETYv APPARATUS HAVING EXPANDABLECONFINEMENT Thepresent invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatusincluding an expandable confinement having a collapsed inoperativecondition and an expanded operative condition for protecting anoccupantofavehicle during an accident.

A known safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicleincludes an expandable confinement having a collapsed inoperativecondition and an expanded operative condition. Asensor assembly mountedon a forward portion of the vehicle is operated in response to theoccurrence of an accident. A valve in the passenger compartment of thevehicle is operated to an open condition in response to operation of thesensor assembly to enable fluid to flow from a fluid reservoir into theconfinement to effect expansion of the confinement. Although several.different embodiments of this safety apparatus are known, oneembodiment is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,292.

This known safety apparatus effects expansion of the confinement in vamanner wherein the fluid flow into the confinement tends to rapidlyreach a maximum value and then rapidly decrease. In other words, whilethe flow of fluid into the confinement takes place over a fixed timeperiod, the majority of the flow of fluid into the confinement takesplace during a relatively short timeat the beginning of the fixed timeperiod with a minimal amount of flow taking place during the rest of thefixed time period. Associated with the rapid fluid flow rate is a highnoise level. Moreover, the initial impact between the confinement andthe occupant may be relatively severe as the initial expansion of theconfinement is quite rapid.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new'andimproved safety apparatus for a vehicle including an expandableconfinement and a compact unitary assembly for effecting expansion ofthe confinement without subjecting the occupant of the vehicle to highnoise levels or large impact forces as discussed hereinabove.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedsafety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident including an expandable confinement having a collapsedcondition and an expanded condition for restraining an occupant of thevehicle during an accident, a fluid reservoir containing a supply offluid therein, a percussion-actuated explosive valve for releasing thefluid from the reservoir, and a control valve for controlling the flowof the fluid after it is released from the reservoir, and wherein thecontrol valve effects expansion of the confinement in a predeterminedmanner so that the noise level associated with expansion and the initialimpact between the confinement and the occupant are minimized.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved safety apparatus as defined in the next preceding objectwherein the control valve includes means for retarding operation of thecontrol valve to an open condition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved safety apparatus as defined in the next preceding object.wherein the retarding means includes a chamber having substantiallyimcompressible fluid therein and wherein movement of the valve tends todecrease the size of the chamber and force the fluid out of the chamberthrough a restricted outlet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved, safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicleduring an accident including an expandable confinement having acollapsed inoperative condition and an expanded operative condition forrestraining movement of an occupant during the occurrence of anaccident, a fluid reservoir having a supply of pressurized fluidtherein, and a percussion-actuated explosive valve for releasing thefluid from the reservoir to effect expansion of the confinement to itsoperative condition.

Still another object. of the present invention is to provide a new. andimproved: safety apparatus as defined in the next preceding o'bjectfurther including a mass movable in response to changes infmomentum ofthe vehicle caused by an accident and wherein movement of the masseffects actuation of the percussion-actuated explosive valve.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved safety apparatus as defined in the next preceding objectwherein the sensor mass includes the fluid reservoir and thepercussion-actuated explosive valve is carried by the fluid reservoir sothat movement of the fluid reservoir in response to a change in momentumof the vehicle effects engagement of the explosive valve with anactuator operable to effect actuation of the explosive valve and releaseof the fluid from the reservoir.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedsafety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident including an expandable confinement having a collapsedinoperative condition and an expanded operative condition forrestraining movement of the occupant during an accident, a fluid supplyoperable to provide a supply of fluid to effect expansion of theconfinement to its operative condition, and control means forcontrolling the flow of fluid from the supply to thereby control therate of expansion of the confinement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved safety apparatus as defined in the next preceding objectwherein the control means includes a control valve which is operable toan open condition under the influence of fluid flowing from the supplyof fluid and a means for retarding operation of the control valve to theopen condition to effectively control the flow of fluid into the openconfinement.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawings in which similar reference numerals are employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a safety apparatus forming aspecific preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safetyapparatus includes a confinement which is shown in solid lines in acollapsed condition and in dashed lines in an expanded condition;

FIG. 2 illustrates a unitary assembly for establishing a flow of fluidin response to the occurrence of an accident, theassembly being shown inan unoperated condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2 and in which the unitaryassembly is shown in an operated condition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a valve assembly for controlling the rateof fluid flow into the confinement, the valve assembly being shown in afully open condition;

FIG. 5 is anenlarged view of a percussion-activated explosive valve ofthe unitary assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the unitary assembly forestablishing a flow of fluid in response to the occurrence of anaccident;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the sectional line 7 --7 of FIG.6 and illustrating the mounting of a mass for actuating an explosivevalve in the assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the present invention wherein a sourceof fluid is moved in response to the occurrence of an accident to impacta fixed actuator member with a percussion-actuated explosive valve; and

FIG. 9 is a graphical illustration contrasting a controlled flow offluid into a confinement with an uncontrolled flow of fluid into aconfinement.

The present invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatus forprotecting an occupant of the vehicle during an accident. The safetyapparatus includes an expandable confinement having a collapsedcondition and an expanded condition in which it restrains movement ofthe occupant during an accident. A source of fluid, a fluid reservoir inthe specific illustrated embodiments of the invention, supplies fluid tothe interior of the confinement upon the occurrence of an accident toeffect expansion of the confinement. A percussion-actuated explosivevalve is disposed on the fluid reservoir and is operable to allow fluidto flow from the reservoir upon the occurrence of an accident. Thepercussion-actuated explosive valve is associated with an actuator masswhich moves in response to change in momentum of the vehicle caused byan accident to effect actuation of the percussion-actuated explosivevalve. Actuation of the explosive valve results in a flow of fluid fromthe fluid reservoir toward the confinement. Suitable flow control meansare provided to retard the flow of fluid into the interior of theconfinement to control the rate of expansion of the confinement.

As illustrated in FIG. I, an automotive vehicle is equipped with safetyapparatus 12 as contemplated by the present invention to protect anoccupant 14 of the vehicle. The safety apparatus 12 includes a suitablefluid supply, a fluid reservoir 16 in the specific illustratedembodiment of the invention. Upon the occurrence of an accident, a flowof fluid is provided from the reservoir 16 to effect expansion of theconfinement 18. The confinement 18 is shown in its collapsed conditionin full lines and in its expanded operative condition for restrainingmovement of the occupant in dashed lines in FIG. I. A diffuser tube 20is provided for directing the flow of fluid into the confinement l8.Fluid flows from the fluid supply 16 into the diffuser tube 20 and isdirected throughout the interior of the confinement 18 by a plurality ofholes located in the diffuser tube to effect a rapid expansion of theconfinement 18. Although the safety apparatus as illustrated in FIG, 1is located in the dashboard 21 to protect an occupant located in thefront seat of the vehicle, it should be readily apparent that the safetyapparatus could be located in other positions within the vehicle, suchas in the back of the front seat, to protect an occupant seated in therear of the vehicle.

A unitary assembly 22 for establishing a flow of fluid from thereservoir 16 in response to the occurrence of an accident is illustratedin its unoperated condition in FIG. 2. The assembly 22 includes thefluid reservoir 16 and a percussion-actuated explosive valve 24 disposedon one end thereof. Associated with the percussion-actuated explosivevalve 24 is an actuator mass 26 which is movable in response to a changein momentum of the vehicle to effect actuation of the explosive valve.Suitable flow control means, such as the flow regulator or flow controlvalve assembly 28 is provided to at least partially stabilize the flowof fluid into the confinement 18. This stabilized flow of fluid expandsthe confinement 18 at a relatively uniform rate without excessively highinstantaneous or peak rates of expansion.

The fluid reservoir 16 contains a supply of fluid 17 therein and isnormally sealed to prevent the flow of fluid therefrom by thepercussion-actuated explosive valve 24. The fluid 17 in the fluidreservoir 16 is under pressure so that operation of the explosive valve24 from the closed condition of FIG. 2 to the open condition of FIG. 3enables fluid to flow from the interior of the fluid reservoir 16through the valve to the interior of the expandable confinement 18. Thefluid l7 stored in the reservoir 16 may be of any suitable fluid such ascarbon dioxide.

The percussion-actuated explosive valve 24, more fully illustrated inFIG. 5, includes a valve body 30. The valve body 30 has a suitable endportion 32 which is mounted so as to be disposed toward the interior ofthe fluid reservoir 16. The end portion 32 of the valve body includes apreweakened area 34 thereon. The preweakened area 34 contains aplurality of grooves 35 therein so that upon activation of thepercussionactuated explosive valve 24, the preweakened area 34 will beruptured to form an opening 36 (FIG. 3) through which fluid flows fromthe fluid reservoir 16. The formation of the opening 36 is more fullydescribed in application Ser. No. 730,024 filed May I7, 1968 by GeorgeEkstrom, now US. Pat. No. 3,567,245.

The valve body 30 defines a chamber 44 with a filler material 38disposed therein. Preferably, the filler material comprises a low shearstrength noncompressible elastomer filler. Disposed within the filler isan explosive means in the form of a pair of percussion-actuateddetonators 40. A pair of firing pins or actuator members 42 are suitablylocated relative to the detonators 40 so that a striking or impactingwith the firing pins 42 effects actuation ofthe detonators 40. Althoughthe illustrated embodiment of the present invention includes a pair ofpercussion-actuated detonators 40 and a pair of firing pins 42, itshould be realized that a single detonator and a single firing pin couldbe utilized. However, by providing a pair of detonators and a pair offiring pins, an impact on either one or both of the firing pins 42 isoperable to initiate actuation of the detonators 40.

Upon actuation of the explosive means or detonators 40, thenoncompressible elastomer filler 38 is essentially disintegrated and thepreweakened area 34 of the end 32 of the valve body 30 is ruptured alongthe grooves 35 therein. The rupture of the preweakened area 34 and thedisintegration of the filler material 38 allows fluid to flow from thefluid reservoir 16 through the opening 36 toward the confinement 18 toeffect expansion thereof. FIG. 3 illustrates the percussion-actuatedexplosive valve 24 in the open condition and illustrates the flow offluid 17 from the fluid reservoir 16 toward the confinement 18.

A mass or actuator member 26 is movable in response to the occurrence ofan accident to impact with firing pins 42 and thereby effect operationof the valve 24 to the open condition of FIG. 3. The mass 26 is impactedagainst the valve 24 under the influence of forces resulting from achange in momentum associated with the vehicle encountering an accident.The mass 26 is located on a guiding rod 48 which is operable to guidethe movement of the mass 26 when the mass moves in response to a changein momentum of the vehicle during an accident. A suitable biasing means,such as a spring 50 is provided to bias the mass 26 toward a position inwhich it is spaced apart from the valve 24. The spring 50 is tapered toprevent engagement of the spring with a wall portion 52 of a connector54 for mounting the mass 26 and flow control valve assembly 28 on thereservoir 16.

The arrow A shows the direction of travel of the vehicle before theoccurrence of an accident. If, for example, the vehicle is engaged in ahead-on accident from the direction in which arrow A points, the mass 26will move to the right of the position illustrated in FIG. 2. If theaccident is of a sufficient magnitude in which it is desired to operatethe safety apparatus 12 then the change in momentum of the vehicle willcause the mass 26 to overcome the biasing effect of the spring 50 andmove to the right to impact with the firing pins 42. The impact of themass 26 against the firing pins 42 effects actuation of the detonators40 disposed in the percussion-actuated explosive valve 24. It should berealized that the combination of the spring rate of the spring 50 andthe weight of the mass 26 determines the conditions under which thesensor mass is impacted against the percussion-actuated explosive valve24. Preferably, the spring 50 would have a preload which is two to fivetimes the weight of the mass 26. This prevents the sensor mass fromactuating the explosive valve during nonaccident conditions and duringconditions wherein the vehicle encounters abnormal road conditions.Moreover, the weight of the mass 26 is preferably sufficient to effectactuation of the firing pins 42 an the detonators 40 at a velocity of ISfeet per second. Thus, upon the occurrence of a sufficient change inmomentum of the vehicle caused by an accident ofa predeterminedmagnitude, the sensor mass 26 will slide along the guide rod 48 andinitiate actuation of the percussion-actuated valve 24 to effect a flowoffluid 17 from the fluid reservoir 16.

The flow control assembly 28 tends to stabilize the flow of fluid fromthe fluid reservoir 16 to the confinement 18. The flow control assembly28 includes a flow control valve 56 which is operated from a closedcondition (FIG. 2) blocking fluid flow to the confinement 18 to a fullyopen condition (FIG. 4) enabling fluid to flow to the confinement 18 byfluid pressure against a valve member 57. In the closed condition, thevalve member 57 engages a valve seat 58 formed on the connector 54.

Upon operation of the explosive valve 24 to the open condition (FIG. 3)fluid flows from the reservoir 16 and presses against the valve member57. This fluid pressure tends to operate the flow control-valve 56 tothe open condition. In assemblies which do not include the flow controlvalve 56, fluid flows at an extremely high rate into the confinement l6and quickly expands the confinement. This is illustrated graphically inFIG. 9 wherein this flow of fluid is approximated by the solid line 59.It should be noted that the flow of fluid .quickly reaches a maximum,indicated by the peak 60, and

thendecays as the fluid pressure in reservoir 16 decreases. Thetransient maximum flow rate corresponding to the peak 60, causes theconfinement 18 to be expanded at a relatively high-rate. This high rateof expansion of the confinement 18 can result in a severe impact of theconfinement against an occupant of the vehicle.

To provide for a more uniform rate of expansion of the confinement 18,an assembly 61 retards operation of the flow control valve 56 to thefully open condition so that the rate of fluid flow from the reservoir16 is at least partially stabilized. This is illustrated by the dashedcurve 62 in FIG. 9. It should be noted that the dashed curve 62represents the same volume of fluid-flow as is represented by the curve59. However, the flowrepresented by the dashed curve 62 tends tostabilize at a relatively low maximum value represented by therelatively flat portion 63 of the curve.

The assembly61 includes a movable cylinder portion 65 whichcooperateswith a fixed piston 66 to form a chamber 67 therebetween. The cylinderportion 65 is moved toward the left as viewed in FIG. 2 upon operationof the control valve 56 fromthe closed condition toward the fully opencondition of FIG. 4. Since the cylinder portion 65 is connected directlyto the valve member 57,.the distance through which the cylinder portionis moved is directly proportional to the extent of operation of thecontrol valve 56 from the closed condition of 'FIG. 2.

A substantially incompressible fluid 68 is disposed within a chamber 67.Preferably, the incompressible fluid 68 is an inert fluid such assilicone oil or grease. Movement of the cylinder portion 65 effects adecrease in size of the chamber 67. However, the substantiallyincompressible fluid 68 tends to retard movement of the cylinder portion65 which decreases the size of the chamber 67.

Suitable outlet means in the form of a restricted outlet passage 70 isprovided to release the fluid 68 from the chamber 67. A seal member 71is normally disposed over the outlet passageway 70 and prevents fluidflow therethrough. The seal member is preferably a plastic filler plugwhich is rupturable under a high pressure. A seal ring 76, preferably anelastomer seal ring, is disposed around the cylinder portion 62 andprevents leakage of fluid 68 from the chamber 67.

A valve member 72 is connected with the cylinder portion 65 and isoperable to move therewith. The valve member 72 is disposed so that itmoves into. the outlet passage 70 upon movement of the cylinder portion65 in response to operation of the flow control valve 56. The valveportion 72 is a metering valve and has a notch 74 therein. Movement ofthe cylinder portion 65 effects a rupture of the seal 71 by the valvemember 72.

Release of fluid from the fluid reservoir 16 applies a fluid pressure tothe valve member 57. This will effect an initial movement of thecylinder portion 65 to the left as viewed in FIG. 2. Movement of thecylinder portion 65 to the left effects movement of the valve member 72which in turn ruptures the seal 71 disposed over the outlet passageway70. It should be realized that the notch 74 on the valve member 72 isoperable to control the flow of the substantially incompressible fluid68 through the outlet passageway 70. Initially, after the seal 71 isbroken, .the notched valve member 72 substantially blocks fluid flowthrough the outlet passageway 70. FIG. 2 illustrates the valve member 72after a small initial movement thereof and it can bereadily-observedthat an opening 73 between the valve member 72 andoutlet 70 has a small cross-sectional area. Therefore,'the cylinderportion 65 will encounter a large retarding force by the incompressiblefluid 68 as it moves toward the left as only a minimal amount of fluid68 will exit the chamber 67. However, as the valve member 72 movestoward the left, as illustrated in FIG. 3, greater amounts of fluid 68will be allowed to flow through the outlet passageway 70 as the opening73 increases in a cross-sectional area. FIG. 4 illustrates a wideportion 74a of the timing notch 74 in the outlet passageway 70 after thevalve member 72 has moved farther to the left. Clearly, the opening 73increases the crosssectional area as the valve member 72 moves towardthe left and the wideportion 74a of the notch 74 enters the outletpassageway 70. When the wide portion 74a of the timing notch 74 entersthe passageway 70, the valve member 72 is in a fully open condition(FIG. 4) and provides a minimum resistance to fluid flow from thereservoir 16.

The connector 54 operates to direct the flow of fluid from the fluidreservoir toward the flow control assembly 28 when thepercussion-actuated explosive valve 24 is activated. When fluid flowsfrom the fluid reservoir 16 through the connector 54, it engages thevalve member 57. When the fluid pressure acting on the valve member 57effects movement of the cylinder portion 65 to the left, as illustratedin FIG. 3. A small opening is then formed between the valve member 57and the valve seat 58 on the connector member 54. This opening allowsfluid to flow from the connector 54 to a distributor tube 86 which isconnected in fluid communication with the confinement 18. Since thevalve member 57 has been moved away from the valve seat 58 for only arelatively small distance, fluid flows into the confinement 18 at arelatively low rate to initiate expansion of the confinement.

Continued movement of the valve member 57 toward the fully open positionof FIG. 4 is retarded by the assembly 61. As the fluid pressure inconnector 54 increases, the cylinder portion 65 is moved toward the leftand the seal means 71 is broken. This enables a small flow of thesubstantially incompressible fluid 68 through the outlet 70. As theopening between the valve seat 58 and the valve member 57 increases, theflow of fluid 17 from the fluid reservoir 16 to the confinement 18 alsoincreases and the flow of the substantially incompressible fluid 68through the outlet means 70 will also substantially increase. Thus, itcan be seen that initially a small amount of fluid 17 from the fluidreservoir 16 will move toward the confinement. However, this fluid willbe under a very large pressure. Further movement of the valve portion 60will effect a larger flow of the fluid to the confinement 18, but thisfluid will be under a substantially lower pressure as a portion of thefluid from the fluid reservoir will have already entered the interior ofthe confinement 18, thus decreasing the volume of fluid 17 remaining inthe fluid reservoir 16 and the connector 54. Since the volume of fluid17 remaining in the connector 54 and the reservoir 16 is reduced and thevolume of the reservoir 16 and the connector 54 remain substantiallyconstant, the remaining fluid will have a lower pressure. Therefore, theflow of fluid into the confinement will be at a substantially uniformflow rate. In other words, as the pressure of the fluid 17 remaining inthe reservoir 16 and the connector 54 decreases, the opening between thevalve member 57 and the valve seat 58 will increase as the cylinderportion 65 moves to the left and the substantially incompressible fluid68 continues to flow from the chamber 67.

The flow control valve 28 which initially retards fluid flow to theconfinement l8 acts to minimize the noise level associated with theexpansion of the confinement l8 and also minimizes the initial impactbetween the confinement l8 and the occupant. As shown in FIG. 9, theprior art safety apparatus effects expansion of the confinement in amanner represented by the curve 59 wherein the fluid flow into theconfinement tends to rapidly reach a maximum value and then rapidlydecrease. In the known safety apparatus, the flow of fluid into theconfinement takes place over a fixed time period of approximately 0.05seconds, however, the majority of the fluid flow is concentrated in thebeginning of the time period, i.e., approximately 0.02 seconds and thus,an extremely rapid initial expansion of the confinement takes place.Associated with this extremely rapid initial expansion and the extremelyhigh flow rate in the known safety apparatus is a very high noise levelwhich may be detrimental to the ears of the occupant of the vehicle.Moreover, the extremely high flow rate at the beginning of the expansionperiod effects an extremely rapid initial expansion of the confinement.This rapid initial expansion of the confinement may tend to cause severeimpact forces between the confinement and the occupant. The controlvalve 28 tends to stabilize the flow of fluid into the confinement overthe fixed period of time, as is illustrated by the curve 62 in FIG. 9.It should be noted from the curve 62 that, while total time for theexpansion of the confinement 18 is essentially the same as that for theknown safety apparatus represented by the curve 59, the flow rate tendsto be more uniform. The control valve 28, therefore, utilizes the sametotal time period for expansion of the confinement but the flow rateduring this time period is more uniform and has a substantially lowermaximum flow rate. By reducing the maximum flow rate into theconfinement, the noise level associated with the expansion ofthe-confinement is thereby reduced. Moreover, by reducing the maximumflow rate, the initial expansion of the confinement takes place at asubstantially lower speed than the initial expansion of the confinementin the prior art. This tends to minimize impact forces between theoccupant and the expanding confinement. While the flow control valve 28has been illustrated as associated with a fluid reservoir having apressurized fluid stored therein it should be obvious that the valve 28could also be effectively utilized with a fluid supply of gas generatingmaterial.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6wherein the explosively actuated valve 24 is associated with a sensormass 90. The sensor mass 90 is disposed within a chamber 92. The chamber92 has wall portions 94 thereof which substantially surround the sensormass 90. The mass 90 is constructed so that it has a suitable seal edge96 which cooperate with the walls 94 of the chamber 92 and provide afluid seal therebetween. Asuitable tapered spring 50 is provided to biasthe sensor mass 90 and to prevent actuation of the percussion-actuatedexplosive valve 24 during a nonaccident condition. The spring 50 biasesthe sensor mass against a shear-type C-ring 98 and holds the sensor massin its unactuated position, illustrated in FIG. 6, during nonaccidentconditions. The chamber 92 is provided with a suitable outlet vent 100which is operable to relieve pressure in the left portion 92a of thechamber 92 in the event of movement of the mass 90. A suitable guidingrod 102 is disposed in the chamber 92 and is operable to guide movementof the mass 90 toward the firing pins 42 of the percussion-actuatedexplosive valve 24. A manifold 104 is disposed around the wall portion94 of the chamber 92 and is connected in fluid communication with theinterior of the confinement 18 by a duct 105. The wall portion 94 of thechamber 92 has a plurality offluid ports 106 therein which provide forfluid communication between the manifold 104 and the chamber 92.Preferably, the fluid ports 106 are symmetrical as illustrated in FIG. 7and provide for minimum reaction during actuation of the safetyapparatus 12.

The vehicle in which the safety apparatus is utilized is assumed to bemoving forwardly in the direction of arrow C prior to an accident. Uponthe occurrence of an accident, the vehicle decelerates and the change inmomentum of the vehicle causes the mass 90 to move against the biasingforce of the spring 50 and the mass 90 engages the firing pins 42 toeffect actuation of the percussion-actuated explosive valve 24.Preferably, the mass 90 travels between 0.25 and 0.50 inches to effectactuation of the percussion-actuated explosive valve 24. Actuation ofthe percussion-actuated explosive valve 24 effects a flow of fluid 17from the fluid reservoir 16 into the chamber 92. This flow of fluid andthe biasing effect of the spring 50 moves the sensor mass 90 to the leftand breaks the shear C-ring 98. The breaking of the shear ring 98 allowsthe mass 90 to move to the left to close the outlet vent 100 and preventfluid flow therethrough. The seal edges 96 on the mass 90 provide forsealing of the fluid 17 from the fluid reservoir 16 in the chamber 92 asthe mass moves to the left to prevent the flow of fluid from the fluidreservoir through the outlet means which are vented to the atmosphereupon initial actuation of the valve 24. As the mass 90 moves to theleft, the fluid in the chamber 92 will exit there from through the ports106 to the manifold 104. It should be noted that the expansion meansillustrated in FIG. 6 is nonelectric expansion means and is not subjectto the reliability problems associated with electric circuits. Moreover,the expansion means is a selfcontained unit and is constructed so thatits reliability is maximized. Thus, a self-contained mechanicalactuation system for a safety apparatus has been provided.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8,which shows a fluid reservoir 110 disposed within a container 112. Thefluid reservoir 110 includes a percussionactuated explosive valve 24disposed on one end thereof. The reservoir 110 is operable to movelongitudinally within the interior of the container 112 and is normallybiased against a stop portion 114 of the confinement 112 by a springmeans 116. Preferably, the spring member is a low rate spring having apreload of 2% to 5 times that of the reservoir weight. Suitable guidingmembers 118 are disposed on the walls 120 of the reservoir 110 andcooperate with the sides 122 of the container 112 to guide longitudinalmovement of the reservoir 110. The guides 118 also cooperate with thewall portions 122 to prohibit the flow of fluid therebetween when fluidflow from the reservoir 110 is initiated.

The present embodiment is mounted on the vehicle so that the directionof travel of the vehicle is generally in the direction of arrow B.However, when the vehicle encounters an accident, the momentum ofreservoir 110 and the percussion-actuated explosive valve will move themto the left. Movement of the reservoir 110 and the valve 24 to the leftwill impact an actuator portion 124 of the container 112 with the firingpins 42. Impacting of the firing pins 42 and the actuator portion 124effects actuation of the percussion-actuated explosive valve 24 to theopen condition and allows fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir 110into the interior of the container 112. The combination of the fluidflow from the reservoir 110 and the biasing effect of the spring 116will then effect movement of the reservoir to the right so that itengages the stop portion 114. The interior of the container 112 is incommunication with a manifold member 126 by means of orifices 128disposed on the walls 122 of the container 112. Thus, when theexplosive-actuated valve is actuated, the fluid will flow into thecontainer 112 from the fluid reservoir 110, through the openings 128 andinto the gas manifold 126. The gas manifold is in fluid communicationwith the interior of the expandable confinement 18 by suitable means,such as a distributor tube. Thus, it can be seen that upon theoccurrence of an accident, the change in momentum of the vehicle willeffect movement of the fluid reservoir 110 and the percussionactuatedexplosive valve 24 to effect actuation of the explosive valve andexpansion of the confinement.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the reservoir 110 and theexplosive valve 24 combine to form a sensor mass that is moved inresponse to change in momentum of the vehicle effected by the occurrenceof an accident. Therefore, a nonelectrical self-contained unit foreffecting expansion of the confinement has been provided. Moreover, theneed for a separate sensor mass has been eliminated and a compact andeconomical system has been provided, It should be realized that in thisembodiment and the other embodiments, the preload biasing force whichthe spring exerts against the sensor mass, in this case the reservoir110 and the explosive actuated valve 24, and the weight of the sensordetermines the minimum change in momentum in which the apparatus willeffect expansion ofthe confinement.

From the hereinabove disclosure a new and improved safety apparatus forprotecting an occupant of a vehicle has been provided. The safetyapparatus includes an expandable confinement 18 having a collapsedcondition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of anoccupant relative to the vehicle during an accident. Expansion of theconfinement 18 is effected. by flow of a fluid from a fluid supply. Inthe specific illustrated embodiments, a fluid reservoir having a supplyof'pressurized fluid therein is used, but it should also be contemplatedthat a gas-generating material could be utilized in the presentinvention. Associated with the fluid supply is a percussion-actuatedexplosive valve 24 which is operable to .openvth'efluid supply andrelease the supply of fluid therefrom uponthe occurrence of an accident.A sensor mass is movable in response to achange in momentum effected byan accident to actuatethe percussion-actuated explosive valve 24 uponthe'occurrence of an accident. The sensor mass operates in response :toa change in momentum of the vehicle and is associated with'suitablebiasing means so that the percussion-actuated explosive valve isactuated only during predetermined accident conditions. Suitable flowcontrol means, such as a flow control valve 28 is utilized to retard theflow of fluid from the fluid: reservoir into the confinement. The flowcontrol means minimizes noise associated with the expansion of theconfinement and minimizes the initial impact between the expandingconfinement and the occupant. Moreover, the combination-of thepercussion-actuated explosive valve and the sensor-mass provide for areliable nonelectrical system which is a self-contained compact unit.

Having described a preferred embodiment of my invention, lclaim:.-

l. A safetyapparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having acollapsed condition and an expanded condition forrestraining an occupantof a vehicle, a source of fluid, valve means movable between a closedposition at least partially-blocking fluid flow from'said source offluid and an open position enabling fluid to flow from said source offluid to effect expansion of said confinement, and means responsive tothe position of said valve means for regulating the velocity of saidvalve means in moving from said closed position to said open posi'tionto control the rate of fluid flow from said source of fluid to therebyat least partially control the rate of expansion of said confinement.

2.'A.safety apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve meansincludes a body defining an opening through which fluid flows from saidsource of fluid toward said confinement and a valve member for blockingsaid opening when said valve means is in the closed condition, saidvalve means being-operable to the open condition under the influence ofpressure applied against said valve member by fluid from said source offluid.

3. Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having acollapsed condition and an expanded condition, a first'source of fluid,main valve means operable from a closed condition atleast partiallyblocking fluid flow from said source of fluid-toan open condition toenable fluid to flow from said first source of 'fluid to effectexpansion of said confinement, a second. source of fluid, secondaryvalve means operablefrom a closed condition to an open conditiontoenable fluid to flow'fromfsaid second source of fluid, and meansoperatively interconnecting said main and secondary valve meansfor-enabling said main valve means to be operated from theclosedcondition to the open condition at a rate which is a function offluid flowfrom said second source of fluid through said secondary. valvemeans to thereby at least partially controlexpansion of saidconfinement.

4. Aqsafety apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further includingexplosive valvemeansioperable from a closed condition to anopencondition-upon the occurrence of an accident to enable fluid to flowfromsaidv first sourceof fluid to said main valvemeans.

. 5. A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said secondaryvalve means includes means for limiting fluidflow through said secondaryvalve-means to a rate which is a function ofthe extent of operation ofsaid main valve means from theclosed condition.

6. A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second sourceof fluid includes means for defining a variable size chamber for holdingfluid, said means for operatively interconnecting'said main andsecondary valve means being operable to decrease the size of saidchamber to force fluid therefrom through said secondary valve means.

7. A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having acollapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining anoccupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, valve means operable between aclosed condition at least partially blocking 'fluid flow from saidsource of fluid and an open condition enabling fluid to flow from saidsource of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement, means forretarding operation of said valve means from said closed condition tosaid open condition to control the rate of fluid flow from said sourceof fluid to thereby at least partially control the rate of expansion ofsaid confinement, and means for establishing a flow of fluid from saidsource of fluid to said valve means in response to the occurrence of anaccident.

8. A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means forestablishing a flow of fluid includes a percussion-actuated explosivevalve and actuator means for impacting with said percussion-actuatedexplosive valve to effect operation thereof to an open condition uponthe occurrence of an accident.

9. A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further includ ing meansfor mounting said valve means and said means for retarding operation ofsaid valve means on said source of fluid to thereby provide a unitaryconstruction.

10. A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having acollapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining anoccupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, valve means operable between aclosed condition at least partially blocking fluid flow from said sourceof fluid and an open condition enabling fluid to flow from said sourceof fluid to effect expansion ,of said confinement, and means forretarding operation of said valve means from said closed condition tosaid open condition to control the rate of fluid flow from said sourceof fluid to thereby at least partially control the rate of expansion ofsaid confinement including a second source of fluid and means forenabling said valve means to be operated to the open condition at a ratewhich is a function of fluid flow from said second source of fluid.

11. A safetyapparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said secondsource of fluid includes variable size chamber means for holding fluidand outlet means for restricting fluid flow from said variable sizechamber means, said valve means being operatively connected to saidvariable size chamber means in such a manner that operation of saidvalve means from the closed condition to the open condition effects aflow in fluid from said variable size chamber through said outlet meansand a corresponding decrease in the size of said variable size chambermeans.

12. A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having acollapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining anoccupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, means for establishing a flowof fluid from said source of fluid to effect expansion of saidconfinement upon the occurrence of an accident, said means comprisingimpact actuatable means operable to provide fluid from said sourceof'fluid and actuator means for impacting with said impact actuablemeans in response to the occurrence of an accident, valve means operablebetween a closed condition at least partially blocking fluid flow fromsaid source of fluid and an open condition enabling fluid to flow fromsaid source of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement, and meansfor retarding operation of said valve means from said closed conditionto said open condition to control the rate of fluid flow from saidsource of fluid to thereby at least partially control the rate ofexpansion of said confinement.

panded condition in which the confinement restrains an occul0 pant ofthe vehicle during an accident, a source of fluid, means for connectingsaid source of fluid in fluid communication with said confinement, andfirst and second valve means for controlling fluid flow from said sourceoffluid,

said first valve means being operable from a closed condition to an opencondition to enable fluid to flow from said source of fluid to saidsecond valve means upon the occurrence of an accident, said second valvemeans being operable from a closed condition at least partially blockingfluid flow toward said confinement to an open condition after operationof said first valve means to the open condition in response to openingof said first valve means, said second valve means at least partiallycontrolling the rate of flow of fluid from said source of fluid tothereby control the rate of expansion of said confinement,

said second valve means including a control valve disposed in a path offluid flow between said source of fluid and said confinement, and meansfor retarding operation of said control valve to the open condition tothereby control the flow of fluid to effect expansion of saidconfinement in a predetermined manner.

15. Safety apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said means forretarding operation of said control valve includes chamber means forholding a fluid and means for decreasing the size of said chamber meansin response to operation of said control valve from the closed conditionto the open condition, said chamber means including outlet means forrestricting a flow of fluid from said chamber means to thereby retarddecreasing the size of said chamber means and operation of said controlvalve.

16. Safety apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said means forretarding operation of said control valve further includes means forlimiting the rate at which fluid flows from said chamber means to a ratewhich is a function of the extent of operation of said control valve.

1. A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during anaccident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinement having acollapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining anoccupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, valve means movable between aclosed position at least partially blocking fluid flow from said sourceof fluid and an open position enabling fluid to flow from said source offluid to effect expansion of said confinement, and means responsive tothe position of said valve means for regulating the velocity of saidvalve means in moving from said closed position to said open position tocontrol the rate of fluid flow from said source of fluid to thereby atleast partially control the rate of expansion of said confinement.
 2. Asafety apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve meansincludes a body defining an opening through which fluid flows from saidsource of fluid toward said confinement and a valve member for blockingsaid opening when said valve means is in the closed condition, saidvalve means being operable to the open condition under the influence ofpressure applied against said valve member by fluid from said source offluid.
 3. Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicleduring an accident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinementhaving a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, a first sourceof fluid, main valve means operable from a closed condition at leastpartially blocking fluid flow from said source of fluid to an opencondition to enable fluid to flow from said first source of fluid toeffect expansion of said confinement, a second source of fluid,secondary valve means operable from a closed condition to an opencondition to enable fluid to flow from said second source of fluid, andmeans operatively interconnecting said main and secondary valve meansfor enabling said main valve means to be operated from the closedcondition to the open condition at a rate which is a function of fluidflow from said second source of fluid through said secondary valve meansto thereby at least partially control expansion of said confinement. 4.A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including explosivevalve means operable from a closed condition to an open condition uponthe occurrence of an accident to enable fluid to flow from said firstsource of fluid to said main valve means.
 5. A safety apparatus as setforth in claim 3 wherein said secondary valve means includes means forlimiting fluid flow through said secondary valve means to a rate whichis a function of the extent of operation of said main valve means fromthe closed condition.
 6. A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 3wherein said second source of fluid includes means for defining avariable size chamber for holding fluid, said means for operativelyinterconnecting said main and secondary valve means being operable todecrease the size of said chamber to force fluid therefrom through saidsecondary valve means.
 7. A safety apparatus for protecting an occupantof a vehicle during an accident, said safety apparatus comprising aconfinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition forrestraining an occupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, valve meansoperable between a closed condition at least partially blocking fluidflow from said source of fluid and an open condition enabling fluid toflow from said source of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement,means for retarding operation of said valve means from said closedcondition to said open condition to control the rate of fluid flow fromsaid source of fluid to thereby at least partially control the rate ofexpansion of said confinement, and means for establishing a flow offluid from said source of fluid to said valve means in response to theoccurrence of an accident.
 8. A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 7wherein said means for establishing a flow of fluid includes apercussion-actuated explosive valve and actuator means for impactingwith said percussion-actuated explosive valve to effect operationthereof to an open condition upon the occurrence of an accident.
 9. Asafety apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further including means formounting said valve means and said means for retarding operation of saidvalve means on said source of fluid to thereby provide a unitaryconstruction.
 10. A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of avehicle during an accident, said safety apparatus comprising aconfinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition forrestraining an occupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, valve meansoperable between a closed condition at least partially blocking fluidflow from said source of fluid and an open condition enabling fluid toflow from said source of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement,and means for retarding operation of said valve means from said closedcondition to said open condition to control the rate of fluid flow fromsaid source of fluid to thereby at least partially control the rate ofexpansion of said confinement including a second source of fluid andmeans for enabling said valve means to be operated to the open conditionat a rate which is a function of fluid flow from said second source offluid.
 11. A safety apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein saidsecond source of fluid includes variable size chamber means for holdingfluid and outlet means for restricting fluid flow from said variablesize chamber means, said valve means being operatively connected to saidvariable size chamber means in such a manner that operation of saidvalve means from the closed condition to the open condition effects aflow in fluid from said variable size chamber through said outlet meansand a corresponding decrease in the size of said variable size chambermeans.
 12. A safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicleduring an accident, said safety apparatus comprising a confinementhaving a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restrainingan occupant of a vehicle, a source of fluid, means for establishing aflow of fluid from said source of fluid to effect expansion of saidconfinement upon the occurrence of an accident, said means comprisingimpact actuatable means operable to provide fluid from said source offluid and actuator means for impacting with saiD impact actuable meansin response to the occurrence of an accident, valve means operablebetween a closed condition at least partially blocking fluid flow fromsaid source of fluid and an open condition enabling fluid to flow fromsaid source of fluid to effect expansion of said confinement, and meansfor retarding operation of said valve means from said closed conditionto said open condition to control the rate of fluid flow from saidsource of fluid to thereby at least partially control the rate ofexpansion of said confinement.
 13. A safety apparatus as set forth inclaim 12 wherein said source of fluid is a fluid reservoir and saidimpact actuatable means includes explosive valve means for blockingfluid flow from said reservoir and percussion actuatable detonator meansfor activating said explosive valve means upon impact with said actuatormeans.
 14. Safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicleduring the occurrence of an accident comprising an expandableconfinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition inwhich the confinement restrains an occupant of the vehicle during anaccident, a source of fluid, means for connecting said source of fluidin fluid communication with said confinement, and first and second valvemeans for controlling fluid flow from said source of fluid, said firstvalve means being operable from a closed condition to an open conditionto enable fluid to flow from said source of fluid to said second valvemeans upon the occurrence of an accident, said second valve means beingoperable from a closed condition at least partially blocking fluid flowtoward said confinement to an open condition after operation of saidfirst valve means to the open condition in response to opening of saidfirst valve means, said second valve means at least partiallycontrolling the rate of flow of fluid from said source of fluid tothereby control the rate of expansion of said confinement, said secondvalve means including a control valve disposed in a path of fluid flowbetween said source of fluid and said confinement, and means forretarding operation of said control valve to the open condition tothereby control the flow of fluid to effect expansion of saidconfinement in a predetermined manner.
 15. Safety apparatus as definedin claim 14 wherein said means for retarding operation of said controlvalve includes chamber means for holding a fluid and means fordecreasing the size of said chamber means in response to operation ofsaid control valve from the closed condition to the open condition, saidchamber means including outlet means for restricting a flow of fluidfrom said chamber means to thereby retard decreasing the size of saidchamber means and operation of said control valve.
 16. Safety apparatusas defined in claim 15 wherein said means for retarding operation ofsaid control valve further includes means for limiting the rate at whichfluid flows from said chamber means to a rate which is a function of theextent of operation of said control valve.